Revelation 8:3
WEB
Another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him, that he should add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne.
BSB
Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne.
KJV
And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
Matthew Henry
Greek interlinear
G2532
and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet
Derivation: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force;
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
G243
more, one (another), (an-, some an-)other(-s, -wise)
Derivation: a primary word;
"else," i.e. different (in many applications)
KJV: more, one (another), (an-, some an-)other(-s, -wise).
G32
angel, messenger
Derivation: from ἀγγέλλω (probably derived from G71;
compare G34) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
KJV: angel, messenger.
See also: G71, G34.
G2064
accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set
Derivation: middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred (middle voice) ἐλεύθομαι , or (active) ἔλθω , which do not otherwise occur);
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
KJV: accompany, appear, bring, come, enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set.
G2476
abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up)
Derivation: a prolonged form of a primary στάω (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses);
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
KJV: abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up).
Compare G5087.
See also: G5087.
G1909
about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with
Derivation: a primary preposition;
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.
KJV: about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with.
In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
G3588
the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc
, including the feminine ἡ , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;
Derivation: the definite article;
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
G2379
altar
Derivation: from a derivative of G2378;
a place of sacrifice, i.e. an altar (special or genitive case, literal or figurative)
KJV: altar.
See also: G2378.
G2192
be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use
, including an alternate form σχέω ; (used in certain tenses only)
Derivation: a primary verb;
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)
KJV: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
G3031
censer
Derivation: from G3030;
frankincense, i.e. (by extension) a censer for burning it
KJV: censer.
See also: G3030.
G1325
adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield
Derivation: a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses);
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
KJV: adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.
G846
her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which
Derivation: from the particle αὖ (perhaps akin to the base of G109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward);
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.
Compare G848.
See also: G109, G1438, G848.
G2368
incense, odour
Derivation: from G2370;
an aroma, i.e. fragrant powder burnt in religious service; by implication, the burning itself
KJV: incense, odour.
See also: G2370.
G4183
abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly
Derivation: including the forms from the alternate πολλός;
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
KJV: abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly.
Compare G4118, G4119.
See also: G4118, G4119.
G2443
albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to
Derivation: probably from the same as the former part of G1438 (through the demonstrative idea;
compare G3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
KJV: albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to.
Compare G3363.
See also: G1438, G3588, G3363.
G4335
X pray earnestly, prayer
Derivation: from G4336;
prayer (worship); by implication, an oratory (chapel)
KJV: X pray earnestly, prayer.
See also: G4336.
G40
(most) holy (one, thing), saint
Derivation: from ἅγος (an awful thing) (compare G53, G2282);
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
KJV: (most) holy (one, thing), saint.
See also: G53, G2282.
G3956
all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever
Derivation: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word;
all, any, every, the whole
KJV: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
G1799
before, in the presence (sight) of, to
Derivation: neuter of a compound of G1722 and a derivative of G3700;
in the face of (literally or figuratively)
KJV: before, in the presence (sight) of, to.
See also: G1722, G3700.
G2362
seat, throne
Derivation: from θράω (to sit);
a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate
KJV: seat, throne.
Bible49 app
Get translation compare, commentary, and interlinear study — offline, on iPhone and Mac.
See Bible49
Verses 1–6
Revelation 8:1–6
In these verses we have the prelude to the sounding of the trumpets in several parts.
I. The opening of the last seal. This was to introduce a new set of prophetical iconisms and events; there is a continued chain of providence, one part linked to another (where one ends another begins), and, though they may differ in nature and in time, they all make up one wise, well-connected, uniform design in the hand of God.
II. A profound silence in heaven for the space of half an hour, which may be understood either, 1. Of the silence of peace, that for this time no complaints were sent up to the ear of the Lord God of sabaoth; all was quiet and well in the church, and therefore all silent in heaven, for whenever the church on earth cries, through oppression, that cry comes up to heaven and resounds there; or, 2. A silence of expectation; great things were upon the wheel of providence, and the church of God, both in heaven and earth, stood silent, as became them, to see what God was doing, according to that of Zac 2:13, Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord, for he has risen up out of his holy habitation. And elsewhere, Be still, and know that I am God.
III. The trumpets were delivered to the angels who were to sound them. Still the angels are employed as the wise and willing instruments of divine Providence, and they are furnished with all their materials and instructions from God our Saviour. As the angels of the churches are to sound the trumpet of the gospel, the angels of heaven are to sound the trumpet of Providence, and every one has his part given him.
IV. To prepare for this, another angel must first offer incense, Rev 8:3. It is very probable that this other angel is the Lord Jesus, the high priest of the church, who is here described in his sacerdotal office, having a golden censer and much incense, a fulness of merit in his own glorious person, and this incense he was to offer up, with the prayers of all the saints, upon the golden altar of his divine nature. Observe, 1. All the saints are a praying people; none of the children of God are born dumb, a Spirit of grace is always a Spirit of adoption and supplication, teaching us to cry, Abba, Father. Psa 32:6, For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee. 2. Times of danger should be praying times, and so should times of great expectation; both our fears and our hopes should put us upon prayer, and, where the interest of the church of God is deeply concerned, the hearts of the people of God in prayer should be greatly enlarged. 3. The prayers of the saints themselves stand in need of the incense and intercession of Christ to make them acceptable and effectual, and there is provision made by Christ for that purpose; he has his incense, his censer, and his altar; he is all himself to his people. 4. The prayers of the saints come up before God in a cloud of incense; no prayer, thus recommended, was ever denied audience or acceptance. 5. These prayers that were thus accepted in heaven produced great changes upon earth in return to them; the same angel that in his censer offered up the prayers of the saints in the same censer took of the fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth, and this presently caused strange commotions, voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake; these were the answers God gave to the prayers of the saints, and tokens of his anger against the world and that he would do great things to avenge himself and his people of their enemies; and now, all things being thus prepared, the angels discharge their duty.
Cross-references: Zech 2:13 · Rev 8:3 · Ps 32:6